Sleepless nights and going back to work...how will I cope?!

[missbumpy]

Going back to work next month and I'm absolutely dreading it. DD's 10mo (will be 11mo when she starts nursery) and her sleeping is still all over the place. I've spent the last 10 months in a state of total exhaustion. Not helped by the fact that DP has been really crap and it looks like we're splitting up just as I go back to work Anyway, last night DD kept me up between 1 and 4am and now I'm really stressed about how I'll cope if she's doing that when I'm back at work.

How do you cope with sleepless nights when you've got to work? Can anyone offer me any reassurance? My mum reckons DD might be so tired out by nursery that she'll sleep better. Has anyone else found this to be true?

[catweazle]

Sorry to hear you are so worried. I went back to work 3 days a week when DD was 10 mo, and full time when she was 15 mo. She still doesn't sleep through. I really didn't think I was going to manage but you get used to it.

Nursery does wear them out more than being at home. Mine is now waking just the once (at about 4am) instead of 3-4 times as she was, so things are settling down. Good luck

[oi]

I worked when dd was small and not sleeping. My goodness I was tired. Some tips:

1. Go to bed very early. Stupidly early. Put the baby to sleep, remember to eat (v important, sounds simple but easy to forget when dog tired), then go to bed. Even if it is 9pm.

1. Yes, I found nursery tired mine out more. Also her quality of sleep at nursery seemed to be worse. That also meant she was more overtired and ratty which is hard when you're tired too. Just so you're prepared!

1. Cook food in advance for yourself so it's easy just to heat something up but something that you know is relatively nutritious.

Once, I was so tired, I went to the loo at work, wrapped my jumper in a ball, leant against the side of the cubicle and slept for an hour. It may happen to you. It won't be the end of the world!

[anonymxxx]

Hi Missbumpy. I was really worried about returning to work, too. The first month was hard, but after that everything got so much easier. I think having some hours every day without DS makes my time with him much more precious and enjoyable.
Don't worry to much, things will fall in place. I second Ojs advice: when I am tired I go to bed with DS. Even if interrupted I get a decent amount of sleep when going to bed a 8pm :-o
It seems you are also worrying about your relationship - I hope you can work something out that you are happy with. My advice for the first month is: just survive for 4 weeks and then you can re-asses if it is working for you or not. Don't make decisions after the first week!

[missbumpy]

I can totally imagine falling asleep in the toilets at work. I think I did that a few times when I was pg. I'm already going to bed at 9pm so I guess I'll have to make bed time 8pm if I'm going to cope with a working day.
Yes, it all feels like a lot to cope with at the moment: failing relationship, money worries, going back to work, weaning DD as I can't BF her at nursery, etc. Good to know other people have coped though

[catweazle]

You don't have to wean your DD either, unless you want to. Mine is now 17 mo and still BF regularly. At nursery she has just water to drink and normal food.